The Town of Friendsville held its general election on February 11, 2025, to elect town officials. We appreciate all residents who participated in this important civic process. A total of 81 voters cast their ballots —thank you for making your voices heard!

We are pleased to announce the election results:

Town Council Members

• Chad Bittinger
• Robert "Bob" Sines
• James Hook

We congratulate the newly elected officials and look forward to their leadership in guiding Friendsville toward continued growth and success.

A special thank you to all candidates for their dedication to our community, as well as to the election workers and voters who made this election possible.

🌟 Welcome to your one-stop-shop for free healthy foods and resources! 🌟

Enjoy a variety of boxed dry goods and a “pick your own” produce selection—offered while supplies last. 🥦🍎

Important Update:❗Mobile Market Canceled ❗

Due to inclement weather, the Mobile Market will be canceled on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Stay safe and warm! ❄️🌨️ We’ll update with any rescheduling details.

Mark you Calendar

Maryland Food Bank's Mobile Market will be visiting Friendsville!

• March 12, 2025 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• April 9, 2025 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

To update your email or to sign up for the newsletter, please fill out the digital form at https://forms.gle/p5ZyiNmbPE5YPqPd8.

The form will only take a few minutes to complete and will ensure that you are added to our mailing list. Don't miss out on all the exciting things happening in Friendsville! By subscribing to our newsletter, you'll be the first to know about town events, community news, and more. Thank you for your interest in staying connected with the Town of Friendsville!

School will be in session on Monday, February 17, 2025, to make up for a recent snow day. This day will follow a regular school schedule, including normal arrival and dismissal times.

Member Meeting

Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Place: The Root Cafe, 321 Chestnut Street, Friendsville, MD 21531

Join us!! The Greater Friendsville Business Association is a membership organization that has a mission to encourage and uplift businesses in the Town of Friendsville and surrounding areas. Our goal is for our community, its people, and its businesses to prosper and thrive. Our association meets on the last Thursday of every month.

If you are interested in joining, please fill out the Google form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf8J5QCFIDFJl08GgvuE2llrR5NtXlZVSDErwiz9F5XO_wpHw/viewform

If you have any questions, please reach out to GFBAinfo@gmail.com.

Gun Bash tickets available for purchase from firemen and
will be available at the Friendsville Discount Liquor store.

Don't forget to mark your calendar and bring a friend along! Our upcoming BINGO event is scheduled for Saturday, March 1st. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Come early to catch the Early Bird games starting at 6:15 p.m., followed by the regular games at 6:30 p.m.

📅 Event Flyers: Check out our flyers below for this month's events.

Let's come together to make a positive impact in our community! See you there!

Jaime Spano

Garrett County Health Department

Community Health Outreach Worker

301.334.7777

The Go!+ Harvest Hub Meal Box & Voucher program provides FREE meal boxes to anyone in need, regardless of benefits eligibility, thanks to Healthy Together and our partners at AHEC West with funds from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission!

The February 2025 Edition of Harvest Hub will feature food vouchers for families in need.

Distributions are limited to one per household & limited to Maryland residents at this time. Participants must sign for vouchers in person. Vouchers cannot be received by anyone other than the person ordering the voucher.

To order, please log in or sign up for a FREE Go!+ account, add the product to your shopping cart, and check out. The product will show a cost of 0 Plus Points (no cost).

Are you looking for a place to connect with wonderful people, enjoy delicious food, and engage in exciting activities? Look no further! .

✨ Here's what you can expect:

🍽️ Lunch Served at 12:00 p.m.: Indulge in a tasty meal and relish great company. Our delicious lunches are the perfect midday treat.

🎂 Birthday Celebrations: Join us on the 2nd Wednesday of each month as we celebrate the birthdays of our amazing seniors. Cake, laughter, and good times are guaranteed!

🃏 Morning Card Games: Get your competitive spirit going with some card games in the morning. It's a fantastic way to exercise your mind and have fun.

🎉 Bingo After Lunch: After a scrumptious meal, try your luck at bingo. Exciting prizes await those with a winning card!

🎤 Special Speakers and Programs: On the last Wednesday of every month, we host special speakers and programs that are both informative and entertaining. It's a great opportunity to learn something new.

🩺 GCHD Blood Pressure Checks: Your health matters to us. Join us on the third Wednesday of each month for complimentary blood pressure checks by the GCHD. Stay on top of your health and well-being.

Come be a part of our vibrant and welcoming community at the Senior Center. Don't miss out on these wonderful activities and connections. See you on Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. We can't wait to see you there!

261 MAPLE STREET, FRIENDSVILLE, MD

WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

AS OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

ALL OPENINGS DEPEND ON AVAILABILITY OF VOLUNTEERS

INQUIRIES OR REQUESTS FOR A SPECIAL OPENING CAN

BE DIRECTED TO CAROL SQUIRES.

friendfamilyassociation.com

In the March 2007 edition of the Glades Star, published by the Garrett County Historical Society, Miss Jean T. Grose recounted the dramatic snowstorm that stranded students at Northern High School. This is a brief summary of her article.

On Wednesday, March 16, 1960, Northern High School was buzzing with excitement as the basketball team prepared to travel to College Park for the Maryland State Tournament. However, Mother Nature had other plans. The day began with typical March weather—sunshine, then flurries, followed by heavier snow and bursts of sunlight. By noon, the wind picked up, and the snowfall intensified, blanketing the landscape in white. By the end of the school day, visibility was so poor that students could barely see the flagpole, and the cars in the parking lot disappeared beneath the accumulating snow.

While buses bound for Accident and Friendsville arrived on schedule, the ones headed for Grantsville and Route 40 never made it. Eventually, men trekking through deep snow reached the school with news that the missing buses were stranded near Keyser’s Ridge.

Principal Paul Muha and the staff quickly organized an overnight stay for the students, arranging meals and sleeping accommodations. Many parents navigated back roads to retrieve their children, while the National Guard provided cots and blankets. Residents of Friendsville pitched in, bringing additional blankets and comforters. Two state troopers remained on-site in case of emergencies. Despite the unexpected circumstances, the students were well cared for—they ate, played games, watched films, and even studied. Spirits remained high, and no one seemed particularly upset by the ordeal.

True to the unpredictable nature of March weather, the storm subsided overnight. By morning, roads were cleared, and buses were ready to take students home. School remained closed on Thursday, but by Friday, the basketball team was able to make the trip to College Park. Though they didn’t claim victory in the tournament, the students certainly had an unforgettable adventure—one they would remember for a lifetime.

Among the 240 students stranded overnight were Clinton and Bill Grose, Thomas Warren, and Robert Garlitz. Faculty members who stayed with them included Lawrence Faith (vocational agriculture teacher), F.N. Carson (social studies teacher), and Coach Alvin Jones.

Feel inspired as we celebrate the beauty of winter through painting, poetry and music!

Participants will enjoy painting ceramic snowmen, while listening to relaxing music and beautiful winter-themed poetry. There will also be light refreshments available to enjoy.

It will be a great way to spend a "frosty day"!

Please contact Melissa at melissa@relib.net or call 301-746-5663 to register.

Calling all LEGO lovers! Join the LEGO Club at the Friendsville Library! We meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 4:00-5:00pm. Join us for some free-building fun based on an exciting theme each month or your own creative ideas! LEGO and Duplo blocks will be provided. LEGO Club is designed for children ages 4 and up.

If you enjoy cooking, trying new recipes, and eating with friends...then this is the bookclub for you! It's Friendsville Library's Culinary Connections Cookbook Club!

Join us on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 6pm. Each participant will choose a recipe from a selection of cookbooks to prepare at home and bring to share at the next meeting. We'll have fun trying new foods, discussing our culinary successes (or disasters), and sharing cooking techniques and tips. We'll have a different theme each month and a prize will be awarded at each meeting for the tastiest dish!

Only non-alcoholic beverages, please.

STEAM Kids programs are happening here at the Friendsville Library! Join us on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 4:00-5:00 p.m., as we engage in exciting hands-on activities based on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math! This program is designed for ages 5 and up.

Occurring on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Friendsville branch, representatives from the Garrett County Department of Social Services will be in the library to serve the community through their assistance outreach program.

Customers can come see a DSS staff person at any of these locations to pick up paperwork, drop off paperwork, apply for services like SNAP, CASH Assistance and Medical Assistance, or just to ask questions about the programs and services offered by our agency. Staff can also provide referral to other community agencies if we do not have a program to address the person’s needs. ANYONE can access ANY of these locations. This schedule provides flexibility to our customers who may be working in communities away from their home, or who may be facing transportation challenges.

These locations also provide support to our customers by making DSS forms available to customers during the location’s open hours of business. Customers can look for the file box labeled “DSS FORMS” to pick up forms, information or a pre-paid envelope in which to return completed forms to our office for processing.

Please note: Please note: If Garrett County schools are canceled due to inclement weather, outreach activity is canceled for that day. For more information on the outreach program, please contact Garrett County DSS at 301-533-3000.

• 02/17/2025 ~ All Branches Closed - President's Day 2025

Friendsville Veterans Memorial Committee has selected Integrity Concrete, LLC to build the Phase 1 concrete foundation for the project. We hope to get all of the Grant paperwork completed so the work will take place in the Spring/Summertime frame. This puts the Memorial a step closer to completion.